The Council of Advisers approved Thursday an ordinance that accords legal validity to the formation of the present interim government in Bangladesh and defines their authority and facilities.
An official release said 'The Interim Government Ordinance 2024' was endorsed at a meeting of the Council of Advisers on Thursday, evidently in the process of according legal cover to the post-uprising government.
According to the draft of the ordinance, following the resignation of the former Prime Minister on August 5 in the face of mass upsurge, the President dissolved parliament and sought opinion of the Support Court on the formation of interim government for running the executive functions of the state.
The Appellate Division of the SC in its Reference No 1, 2024, issued on August 8, under article 106 of the constitution, said that to fill the void and due to urgent requirements, the President can appoint Chief Adviser and Advisers as interim measure for running the executive functions.
"The ordinance is necessary for determining the authority, positions and related facilities for the chief adviser and other advisers appointed in the above- mentioned context," the draft ordinance reads.
As per usual process, ordinances are promulgated by the President when parliament is not in session and those are ratified when parliament sits next time.
The council meeting also approved another ordinance that makes submission of tax return mandatory for all the advisers and other officials of the government holding same status.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com